ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Mines
Special Campaign 2.0: A Stride towards Swachhta by the Ministry of Mines
Campaign included rainwater harvesting, compost pits, cleaning lakes/ponds and eco-disposal of waste
Over Rs.17 Crore earned from scrap disposal; 34549 squarefeet space Freed
As part of the Special Campaign 2.0, the Ministry of Mines along with its field formations continued its activities from November 2022 to August 2023. The Campaign for the Ministry was launched by the Secretary, Ministry of Mines on 2ndOctober 2022 at New Delhi where all the Organizations under the Ministry joined through V.C. The Ministry identified 84 Site Offices throughout India for implementing 116 Swachhta campaigns.
The goal set by the Ministry during the campaign was “giving back to the environment” in the form of rainwater harvesting, compost pits, cleaning lakes/ponds and eco-disposal of waste. As part of best practices, the buildings owned by the offices of Ministry of Mines had set up rainwater harvesting structures. Sites were identified for the Vermi Compost Pit Projects.
HCLVermicompostPlant- ICC Unit, Ghatsila 
Vermicompost Plant at NALCO, Damanjodi 
Rainwater Harvesting, Mineral Exploration and Consultancy Limited, Nagpur
GSITI Hyderabad,Rainwater Harvesting
Wellness Centre on unutilized space, NALCO, Angul 
While reviewing the works done under the Special Campaign, Union Minister Shri Pralhad Joshi suggested segregation of waste in the departmental canteen which has been implemented by the Ministry of Mines. The Ministry of Education, the Nodal Ministry was requested to issue similar guidelines for the departmental canteens of Shastri Bhawan for waste segregation and usingbio waste for making compost pits.
Waste Segregation in Departmental Canteen of Ministry of Mines, Shastri Bhawan
GSITI, Hyderabad also as a best practice started waste segregation in its hostel canteen and used bio waste for making compost. Compost Pit has been created in GSITI, Hyderabad. Beside that unutilized land was converted into Open Air Gym for the Trainees/Employees/Public.
GSITI, Hyderabad, Open Air Gym
The Ministry of Mines as a part of its Special Campaign 2.0, weeded out around 2743 files from November 2022 to August 2023, freeing up a total of 34549 sq.ft space and generated a total revenue of Rs.172,130,148 from scrap disposal.
The Office Space were modernized to create a better working environment. Corridors of the Ministry of Mines were adorned with paintings and potted with plants to beautify the space and were used for the Inauguration Programmes of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav and Har GharTiranga campaigns. Director-level Officers were assigned duties to inspect the office space and submit reports. Same practices were being followed at all the organizations, PSUs of Ministry of Mines. The initiative has resulted in continued swachhta in the premises and perpetual initiatives are taken under the Special Campaign 2.0.
Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports
Medal winners of Asian Para Games, 2018 felicitated with cash awards
Minister of State  Youth Affairs and Sports & Information and Broadcasting Col Rajyavardhan Rathore, along with the Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment Shri Thaawarchand Gehlot, today felicitated the winners of Asian Para Games, 2018. 72 Indian athletes won the medals in the Asian Para Games, 2018 held in Indonesia recently, which is the largest Indian medal tally in the games. With 15 gold, 24 silver and 33 bronze medals, India was placed ninth in the overall medal tally. The medal winners were given cash prizes.
Speaking on the occasion, Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment Shri Thaawarchand Gehlot congratulated the winners for their achievements and bringing laurels to the country. He said that his Ministry has been working for enabling and empowering the Divyangs, and superb performance at international sports fora inspires others also. He said the Ministry is already running a Sports Centre of excellence for differently abled and work is in progress to set up four more such centres in Punjab, Meghalaya, Madhya Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh.
Col Rajyavardhan Rathore said the achievements of these para athletes has made the country proud. He said that their extraordinary grit and determination has been the key to success, as they had to surpass umpteen problems and hardships. He said that the Central Government in 2014 had decided to give the same award and recognition to para athletes as was being given to able-bodied athletes. He said that the Department of Sports and the Government of India will always provide full support to the Divyang athletes in their efforts to achieve success in their lives.
Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship
NIESBUD signs an MoU with Ministry of Rural Development for implementing the Start-up Village Entrepreneurship Programme
National Institute of Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development  — an autonomous organisation under the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship  signed a Memorandum of Understanding  with the Ministry of Rural Development  to develop a sustainable model for promoting entrepreneurship at the grass roots by initiating the Start-up Village Entrepreneurship Programme .
SVEP is a sub-component of Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission  of the Ministry of Rural Development. It aims to support entrepreneurs in rural areas to set-up enterprises at the village-level in non-agricultural sectors. The partnership will enable the rural community by helping them set up their trades and provide complete support till they are stabilized. This pragmatic intervention will provide knowledge, advisory and financial support to the public and will help create village-level community cadre.
Under the partnership rural entrepreneurs will be able to access banking systems for receiving financial support for starting their enterprises, including support from MUDRA bank. Integrated ICT techniques and tools will also be provided for training and capacity building along with enterprise advisory services to augment the entrepreneurship ecosystem in India’s villages. The beneficiaries of the project are from the Self-Help Group  ecosystem of DAY-NRLM and the scheme not only supports existing enterprises but new enterprises as well.
On the partnership, Shri Rajesh Aggarwal, Secretary, Ministry of Skill Development & Entreprenuership said that the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has highlighted that Indians should dream of becoming job creators from job seekers and in this regard, SVEP will help create an innovative ecosystem, accelerating economic and social gains at the community level. He informed that the scheme also aims at building an inclusive society by providing equal opportunities to all along with the required financial support. Shri Aggarwal highlighted that India is a land of opportunities and by helping our youth access these prospects, we are catering to their aspirations. He expressed his confidence that this partnership will help in training the rural community and will provide them with necessary resources for entrepreneurship to increase their income and will pave the way for building Aatmanirbhar Bharat.
Shri Aggarwal stressed that rural entrepreneurship can play a significant role in the overall economic development of India and a huge number of employment opportunities can be generated because of the rural entrepreneurship for the people who are living in rural or remote geographies. The old-age artistic heritage has also been conserved by protecting as well as promoting the rural entrepreneurship, he added. He informed that from past few years, Skill India has been working persistently to bridge the skill gap by giving entrepreneurs easy access to funding, providing the right mentorship, and improving ease of doing business in the country.
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
Shri Bhupender Yadav addresses Stock taking Plenary at UN Biodiversity Conference, COP15 at Montreal, Canada
‘’The Goals and targets set in the Global Biodiversity Framework should be ambitious, yet realistic and practical’’ Shri Yadav
The Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Shri Bhupender Yadav addressed the Stock taking Plenary at UN Biodiversity Conference, COP15 at Montreal, Canada. Addressing the Plenary Shri Yadav said,
Mr. President, Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I acknowledge the contribution of the parties for their valuable contribution and hope that this conference reaches a consensus on putting in place the Post 2020 Global Biodiversity Framework. Reversing ecosystem degradation and halting global biodiversity loss are essential for socioeconomic development, human wellbeing, and for advancing global sustainability. The goals and targets set in the Global Biodiversity Framework should be ambitious; yet realistic and practical. Conservation of biodiversity must also be based on Common but Differentiated Responsibilities and Respective capabilities as the climate change processes affect biodiversity.
Excellencies,
For the developing nations, agriculture is a paramount economic driver for rural communities, and the critical support provided to these sectors cannot be redirected.When food security is of paramount importance for developing countries, prescribing numerical targets in pesticide reductions is unnecessary and must be left to countries to decide, based on national circumstances, priorities and capabilities. Biodiversity conservation requires ecosystems to be conserved and restored holistically and in an integrated manner. It is in this context that Ecosystem Approaches for conservation of biodiversity need to be adopted rather than nature based solutions.
Excellencies
The successful implementation of the framework will squarely depend on the ways and means we put in place for an equally ambitious Resource Mobilization Mechanism. Hence there is a need to create a new and dedicated mechanism for the provision of financial resources to developing-country Parties. India is fully committed to working closely with all parties so that we are all able to bring out an ambitious and realistic Global Biodiversity Framework in COP 15.
Thank you very much.
MJPS
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Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
Cabinet approves allocation of additional foodgrain to NFSA Beneficiaries under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana  for another period of two months – May and June, 2021
The Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has given its ex-post facto approval to the following:
- Allocation of additional foodgrain under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana Phase III- for another period of 2 months e. May to June, 2021 @ 5 kg per person per month free of cost for about 79.88 Crore beneficiaries covered under NFSA  including those covered under DBT.
- The State/UT-wise allocation in terms of wheat/rice shall be decided by the Department of Food & Public Distribution on the basis of existing allocation ratio under NFSA. Also, the Department of Food and Public Distribution may decide on the extension of the lifting/distribution period under PMGKAY as per operational requirements keeping in view partial and local lockdown situations, and also arising out of adverse weather conditions like monsoon, cyclones, supply chain and Covid-induced constraints etc.
- The total outgo in terms of food-grains may be approximately 80 LMT.
The allocation of additional food-grain free of cost to approximately 79.88 Crore individuals under TPDS @ 5 Kg per person per month for two months i.e. May to June, 2021 would entail an estimated food subsidy of Rs. 25332.92Crore taking the estimated Economic Cost of Rs. 36789.2/MT for rice and Rs. 25731.4/ MT for wheat.
Additional allocation will ameliorate the hardships faced by poor due to economic disruption caused by Corona Virus. No poor family will suffer on account of non-availability of food-grains due to disruption in the next two months.
DS
(Visitor Counter : 333
Ministry of Women and Child Development
NCW organizes All India meeting of Nodal Officers on Acid Attack
The National Commission for Women  organized an ‘All India Nodal Officers Meeting on Acid Attack’ to deliberate, discuss, and share suggestions to resolve the issues regarding sale and purchase of acid and other corrosive substances, compensation for survivors, treatment and rehabilitation of survivors, among other topics. The meeting was attended by 23 Nodal Officers and representatives from States across India. The meeting was chaired by Chairperson, NCW, Ms. Rekha Sharma, and also attended by Shri Asholi Chalai, Joint Secretary of NCW, and Shri Ashutosh Pande, Senior Research Officer of the Commission.
In her inaugural address, Ms. Sharma emphasized on the urgent need to bring an end to unregulated sale of acid and other corrosive substances and the need for proper rehabilitation of survivors. “Despite the Supreme Court’s ban, the truth is that acid still remains available for sale. It must be ensured that strict provisions are kept in place to stop the unregulated sale of acid. No society can be considered civilized if it does not act to prevent such a heinous atrocity on women,” said Ms Sharma.
Some of the recommendations given during the meeting are; conducting an extensive campaign to raise awareness about gender sensitivity in schools, universities, and among law enforcement and other institutions; Imposing strict regulations on sale of acid, with District Magistrates being the only authority to grant licenses, confirming stocks after 15 days, and requiring regular reporting on the sale of acid. The group also recommended treating victims of petrol and diesel attacks in the same way as victims of acid attacks in terms of compensation. The panel also suggested providing financial support to private hospitals for free medical care for acid attack victims, reservation in government jobs for acid attack survivors, and setting up a corpus fund for them through corporate social responsibility.
Calling on the Censor Board to restrict glorification of revenge plots in movies, streamlining the compensation process for victims, enabling more rehabilitation and employment opportunities for survivors of acid attacks were also some of the suggestions made during the meeting. The Commission will be taking all the recommendations discussed during the meeting forward to ensure that all necessary steps are taken to help women affected by acid attacks and for prevention of such cases.
Prime Minister's Office
PM condoles the demise of veteran bureaucrat, Dr. Manjula Subramaniam
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has condoled the demise of veteran bureaucrat, Dr. Manjula Subramaniam.
The Prime Minister tweeted;
"Anguished by the demise of veteran bureaucrat Dr. Manjula Subramaniam Ji. She was widely respected for her understanding of policy related issues and action oriented approach. I recall my interactions with her when I was CM. Condolences to her family and friends. Om Shanti."
Ministry of Defence
Raksha Mantri Visits Siachen Glacier
In an epic event in the glorious history of Siachen Glacier, Honourable Raksha Mantri  Shri Rajnath Singh made his maiden visit to the world’s highest battle field today. The RM accompanied by General Bipin Rawat, Chief of Army Staff arrived at the Thoise air field and was received by Lt Gen Ranbir Singh, GOC-in-C, Northern Command. After exchange of greetings and a quick orientation of the general area, he made an aerial reconnaissance of the Siachen Glacier to get acquainted with the expanse of this formidable frozen frontier and landed at one of the forward posts of the Siachen Glacier. The RM interacted with troops at the world’s highest battle field and during his address to the troops at Siachen Base Camp he said “I am proud of all Army personnel serving in Siachen who are leaving no stone unturned to defend our motherland. I am also proud of their parents who have sent their children to serve the Nation by joining the Armed Forces. I will personally send a Thank You note to them.”
The RM further eulogized the tenacious resolve and unstinting commitment of the ‘Siachen Warriors’ to prevail with aplomb in extreme harsh weather and highly treacherous terrain for maintaining the sanctity of our borders and ensuring utmost safety of fellow countrymen. He expressed his heartfelt gratitude on behalf of the nation for placing the call of duty above everything while serving in one of the world’s most inhospitable location.
The Raksha Mantri assured the troops that the government is fully aware of all operational and administrative requirements for optimal functioning at Siachen Glacier and assured Government’s full support tofulfil the requirements on priority for our brave ‘Siachen Warriors’.
As a mark of solemn tribute to the gallant martyrs, he laid a wreath at the ‘Siachen War Memorial’ in the memory of the brave soldiers who have made supreme sacrifice in service of the Motherland.
Nampi/DK
(Visitor Counter : 1259
Ministry of Minority Affairs
Rs.2204.44 Crore spent by Minority Affairs Ministry on scholarship schemes during 2019-20 on 67,21,630 beneficiaries
“The nationwide lockdown did not affect the payment of scholarships as the aforesaid Scholarship Schemes of theMinority Affairs Ministry are implemented through the National Scholarship Portal / Online Portal”--Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi
“The amount of scholarship is transferred under the Direct Benefit Transfer  mode directly into the bank account of the beneficiary”
The number of beneficiaries and the amount spent on scholarships schemes of Ministry of Minority Affairs during 2019-20 is as under:
|
|
Number of Beneficiaries
|
|
Amount spent

|
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67,21,630
|
|
2204.44
Disbursement of scholarships under the three Scholarship Schemes viz Pre-Matric, Post- Matric, Merit-cum-Means and Begum Hazrat Mahal National Scholarship Scheme for 2019-20, continues in 2020-21.
The nationwide lockdown did not affect the payment of scholarships as the aforesaid Scholarship Schemes of this Ministry are implemented through the National Scholarship Portal / Online Portal and the amount of scholarship is transferred under the Direct Benefit Transfer  mode directly into the bank account of the beneficiary.
This information was given by Shri Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, Minister of Minority Affairs, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.
Finance Commission
Finance Commission hold meeting with representatives of Autonomous Development Councils  of Meghalaya
The 15th Finance Commission headed by its Chairman, Shri N.K. Singh as part of its visit to the State of Meghalaya today held a meeting with the representatives of the Autonomous Development Councils of Meghalaya.
The Commission was informed that:
· There are 3 Autonomous District Councils  in Meghalaya namely the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council, the Garo Hills Autonomous District Council and the Jaintia Hills Autonomous District Council.
· Except for a small part of the area under the Shillong Municipality, the entire state is covered by the District Councils.
· Term of the District Councils is for five years from the date of their constitution.
· Last elections to the ADCs were held in February, 2014.
· The autonomous district council is governed by an Executive Committee.
· 243M  of the Indian constitution made special provision that nothing in the part IX of the constitutions  shall apply to the Scheduled Areas referred to in clause , and the tribal areas referred to in clause , of the Article 244. The Sixth Schedule makes provision that these tribal areas will be autonomous districts and be governed by Autonomous District Councils
The functions of ADCs as defined in schedule 6 of the constitution included making laws on land, management of forests, except reserved forests, appointment of traditional chiefs and headmen, inheritance of property, marriage, divorce, social customs, to administer justice and make rules regulating the constitution of village courts and their powers, to undertake development works like establishment and constructions of markets, fisheries, roads, waterways and to make regulations on trading by persons not being local schedule tribe
The main Revenue Sources of ADCs as specified by Paragraph 8 of the Sixth Schedule were:
a) taxes on professions, trades, callings and employment;
b) taxes on animal, vehicles and boats;
c) taxes on the entry of goods into a market and sale therein, and tolls on passenger and goods carried on ferries; and
d) taxes for the maintenance of school, dispensaries or roads.
The Commission was also informed that –
· Royalty is collected by the State Government and is shared between the District Councils and the State Government in the ratio of 25:75 in respect of coal. Share of royalty in respect of other major and minor minerals is in the ratio of 60:40 between the District Councils and the State Government.
· The revenue collected is barely sufficient to carry out their day to day administrative activities and primary duties as envisaged in the sixth schedule leaving virtually no funds for development work. 
· The Fourteenth Finance Commission did not make award for ADCs stating that provisions of Part IX and IXA of the Constitution do not apply to the State of Meghalaya.
· SFC has never been constituted in Meghalaya.
The Commission assured to look into all these matters before making its final recommendations.
Finance Commission
15th Finance Commission meet the Ministry of Food Processing Industry
The Chairman, Shri N.K. Singh, the Members and officials of the 15th Finance Commission today held a detailed meeting with Smt. Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Union Minister for Food Processing Industries and senior officials of her Ministry. The Minister presented an overview of the Food Processing sector to the Commission and its contribution to the economy. She detailed the focus of the Ministry and outline the major policy initiatives. The Finance Commission commended the fact that post 2015 a number of important initiatives have been taken up by the Ministry to improve the reach and quality of the Food Processing sector in India, which is walking towards minimizing waste, enhancing farm income and generating value-added activities.
The Commission felt that it was of immediate value to complete the ‘Cold Chain Grid’ project of the Ministry and Value Added Infrastructure, which is now under way. This grid could facilitate seedless Cold Chain Infrastructure from Farm to Fork and would require a grant of about Rs. 10 crore per project. The Commission felt that these are critically dependent on simultaneous reforms in the agriculture sector, long-term contract farming, abolition of APMC and reducing the obtrusive reach of other connected regulations.
The Commission was also appreciative of the Ministry’s project “Operation Greens” which is an Integrated Value Chain development of Tomato, Onion and Potato  Crop and price stabilisation measures. The Commission felt that it was a positive development that Tomato, Onion and Potato are out of the purview of outmoded regulations. The 15th Finance Commission is committed to favourable multipliers on form incomes, skill based employment activity and promoting small and medium enterprises in this growing sector.
The Commission was also sympathetic to the Ministry’s suggestions that the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority  and Marine Products Export Development Authority  wings of the Commerce Ministry should be under the Food Processing Ministry for better and effective management of agricultural and marine processed food exports.
President's Secretariat
President of India Pays Homage to Dr Rajendra Prasad on his Birth Anniversary
The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind, paid homage to Dr Rajendra Prasad, the first President of India, on his birth anniversary at Rashtrapati Bhavan today . The President as well as officers and staff of the President’s Secretariat, paid floral tributes before a portrait of Dr Rajendra Prasad in the Durbar Hall of Rashtrapati Bhavan.